Features

Bring a take out (or brown bag lunch) and come hear a talk for free at noon Friday in the Chamber Conference Room 109 Central Park Square.
The topic is “Diversify Your Income Stream” with presenter Shelly A. Wiemann, a financial advisor with Edward Jones.
Reserve a seat online at losalamoschamber.chambermaster.com/events/details/take-out-talk-feb-2017-201.

Claire Swinhoe was recently invited to join the Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA) Board of Directors for her love to promote the great youth of the community.
When asked why she joined, she said, “Having worked with students at the Los Alamos Middle School for almost five years, I met some incredible young people and came to appreciate them for all their amazing qualities, compassion and caring.
C’YA announces their fundraiser for the month of February, bake a plate of cookies, snap a photo and send it to them or donate $5 to their community youth award fund.
Then challenge three others to do the same.

U.S. Senator Tom Udall invites New Mexico college students interested in gaining legislative or press relations experience to apply for summer internships in his Washington, D.C. office.
For more information and to apply for an internship, visit tomudall.senate.gov/internships.
During the upcoming summer internship program, Udall’s office in Washington, D.C., will host two summer sessions: May 30 to June 30, and July 3 to Aug. 4.
Applications and letters of recommendation for either summer internship session must be submitted by March 15.
“Internships on Capitol Hill offer students a unique opportunity to learn about the inner workings of our government and experience firsthand how a Senate office works,” Udall said. “These internships allow students to attend committee hearings and House and Senate floor proceedings, give them the chance to learn how to write a press release, research legislation and draft correspondence, and provide an invaluable, educational experience for anyone interested in pursuing a career in government or public service.”
Students of all majors are encouraged to apply and internships may count toward college credit. Students should check with their respective college or university for requirements.

The LANL Foundation supports the work of schools, nonprofits and community programs in northern New Mexico through its grants program. Changes have been made to the grantmaking process to assure fair distribution of funds and alignment of outside programs with Foundation strategies.
Public school districts, nonprofit New Mexico educational institutions, IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) organizations, government agencies, and Pueblo/Tribal communities are eligible to apply for grants of up to $2,500. The individual grant amount was increased from $1,500 to be more impactful. However fewer allocations will be made, making the process more competitive.
Grant applications are now accepted quarterly instead of monthly. Deadlines are Feb. 15, May 15, Aug. 15 and Nov. 15. Award notification and funding will be received within one month of each deadline. Grantees have one full year to spend the money, rather than three months as in prior years.
There are two types of grants for which an organization, school or program may be eligible. Education Outreach Grants directly support public school children in grades K–12.
The updated application form and instructions may be found online at lanlfoundation.org/grants.
For more information, contact LANL Foundation grants coordinator Sally Gallegos at 505-753-8890 or sally@lanlfoundation.org.

Today, I hope you’ll indulge me in a lesson in time travel.
I feel like the most important thing you can learn from me is how fast time goes when you have children. I assume because for adults it becomes a new measure of time. I’m not sure what it is called exactly, “BC,” before children and “AC,” after children, but hopefully you are aware before it is too late.
If you know me well, the most important thing in life is our children. The bad news for them is that doesn’t mean that we buy them everything.
Hopefully it does mean we have passed along some wisdom, some life skills, some meaning that all of this daily grind is supposed to be worth it.
On Saturday, our oldest, Chandler, one of a handful of fine folks that printed this very newspaper you are reading, turns 21. It’s probably the most important age for a young person today. It is also probably the last “celebrated” age.
Sure we turn 30 or 40 or 50, but the same excitement doesn’t exist until that age is close to a retirement number.
This beautiful baby boy came into our lives on Feb. 11, 1996 and it seems like yesterday.
His beautiful blue eyes, just like his dad and these big box like feet, ahh that’s my boy.

Art exhibits
The National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, 601 Eubank SE in Albuquerque, will host “Critical Assembly, the Secrets of Los Alamos 1944: An Installation by American Sculptor Jim Sanborn,” through Oct. 8. This special exhibit, created by world renowned sculptor Jim Sanborn – best known for creating the encrypted “Kryptos” sculpture at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia – invites visitors to explore and study the recreations of the super secret experiments from the Manhattan Project’s atomic bomb program. The museum is open from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., 361 days a year. For information, visit nuclearmuseum.org, or call 505-245-2137.

Jim O’Donnell, director of operations of the Reel Deal Theater, treated students of the University of New Mexico-Los Alamos’ Intro to Film Studies class (MA210) to a tour of the projection room Feb. 1, then a viewing of the musical film “La La Land.”
A topic of discussion was the transition from film projectors to digital projectors. The students in this semester-long course at UNM-LA have already studied the history of musicals in film.
Follow up projects will address how specific techniques employed in the film impact the overall experience for the viewer. “La La Land” has garnered 214 award nominations, and received 144 awards.
The film also has 14 nominations for the Oscar Awards, which will be announced on Feb 26. Hardy and the students gave the experience behind the scenes at Reel Deal Theater “two thumbs up!”

Family Night is set for 6-7 p.m. Tuesday at the Los Alamos Nature Center.
Enjoy an evening of games and hands-on activities for the whole family with Mesa Public Library’s Melissa Mackey. The nature center will be open for exploring the exhibits until 8 p.m.
Mark your calendars: the second Tuesday of each month is Family Night at the nature center. Thanks to a generous sponsorship from the Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos, this program is free for all. For more information about this and other programs offered by the Pajarito Environmental Education Center, peecnature.org, email programs@peecnature.org, or call 662-0460.

Families facing Alzheimer’s disease will have access to a free, seven-week education course in Los Alamos offered by the Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter.
The “Savvy Caregiver Program” course will be held each Wednesday from Feb. 21 through April 4.
The program will be held once per week at the Aspen Ridge Lodge Retirement Home, 1010 Sombrillo Court. Each class lasts two hours from 1-3 p.m. The course is free and open to all.
This evidence-based training aims to teach caregivers practical techniques for interacting with loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, and for understanding and managing their behavior. It also imparts tools for long-term planning and for reducing stresses common to Alzheimer’s caregivers.
The course explains the signs, impacts and pathology of Alzheimer’s disease.
To register, or for further information, please contact Tina De Luz at (505) 266-4473, or email her at tdelaluz@alz.org. You can also contact Mary Yamada at (505) 661-0066, or email her at mary.d.yamada@gmail.com.
Class size is limited and they do fill up quickly. Call now to register. Participants may be reimbursed for the cost of having others tend to their loved one while they attend the classes.

Hon Nguyen, owner of Chicken Teriyaki in White Rock, doesn’t like to brag. He lets his food speak for itself.
But if he does talk about his food, he will readily give up the secret to his success, which is fresh food at a reasonable price, any way the customer wants it.
“I’m not like those commercial restaurants,” Nguyen said. “We cook how the customer wants it.”
While making a profit is a good thing, Nguyen also said that’s not what drives him. As a corrections officer who is nearing retirement, the real reward for him is customer satisfaction.
“Money is important, but what’s really important is when I see the customer finish the food, and then they come back,” Nguyen said. “That means to me they come here not because they happen to be hungry, but because my food tastes good, they come back because they can’t get that taste anywhere else. That’s what makes me happy.” Nguyen said he has customers come as far as Taos, Española and Santa Fe to eat his food.

Award-winning poet Joni Wallace will give a reading entitled “Mesas and Particles: Los Alamos as Literary Muse” at 7 p.m. Feb. 14 at Fuller Lodge in Los Alamos, presented by the Los Alamos Historical Society.
Wallace grew up in Los Alamos and is the award-winning author of three books of poetry. Her lecture includes readings from her latest book, “Kingdom Come Radio Show” (Barrow Street, 2016).
Los Alamos and the Manhattan Project compose the backdrop for “Kingdom Come Radio Show,” a poetic documentation of place (Los Alamos) and history (both personal, and that of the Manhattan Project).
“Oppenheimer, pacing at dawn, smoking, working the equation that says the atmosphere will/will not ignite when the gadget blows straight up into Kingdom Come. In the tilt shot, Kitty Puening Oppenheimer, drink in hand, clink, clink of ice against glass. … Cut to a long drive along a stretch of road, almost-dark, the percussive hiss of cicadas, stereo. Hank singing on this road of sin you are sorrow bound.” – “Kingdom Come Radio Show,” Barrow Street Press, 2016.

Belisama Irish Dance will host a fundraiser from 2-4 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos, 1738 North Sage St.
The lively afternoon will include ceili dancing (Irish social dance), live music, a short Irish dance demonstration and refreshments to help fund the Belisama Irish Dance Company’s future performances and new costumes. A Girl Scout Fun Patch will be offered for those Girl Scouts joining the fun.
Meet the dancers, then participate and learn some ceili dance. Special guests Billy Turney and Lucinda Sydow of Chili Line Accordions will provide traditional tunes in a fun environment for the whole family.
Tickets priced at $10 for children, $15 for adults, and $50 for families with 4+ members (plus a young guest). Ages 4 and under are free. Call 795-8011 for tickets or stop by CB Fox in Los Alamos.

TODAY
Española Valley and Los Alamos for a Super Bowl fundraiser at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Pajarito Brew Pub. Kickoff is scheduled for local time. If your team did not make it to the Big Game, drown your disappointment with one of 30 beers on tap or 52 in the bottle. Pajarito Brew Pub General Manager Patrick Mockler-Wood, a long-time nail banger for Habitat for Humanity, has agreed to donate 10 percent of the proceeds to Habitat for Humanity on all food and drink orders during the game.

Feature Film: “We are Stars” at 2 p.m. at the Nature Center. This exciting, family-friendly film connects us to the evolution of the Universe and explores the secrets of our cosmic chemistry. Cost is $6 for adults, $4 for children. More information at peecnature.org.
MONDAY
Nature Playtimes, Sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of NM from 10-11 a.m. at the Nature Center.
Join local families for fun in nature. Free.
TUESDAY
Kiwanis meeting from noon-1 p.m. in Kelly Hall at Trinity-on-the-Hill Episcopal Church, 3900 Trinity Drive. Christa Tyson, the volunteer coordinator for the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC), will be our speaker. She will outline the benefits of volunteering and the opportunities available at PEEC.

Though some may consider a horseshoe a symbol of luck, many horse owners depend on horseshoes to help keep their horse’s hooves healthy. In turn, healthy horse hooves can result in a happy and performance-ready horse.
The skilled tradesman that make horse shoes and apply them to horses’ hooves are called farriers. Jason Maki, farrier for the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, explained the important role of his job.
“Farriers manage and provide protection for horse hooves,” Maki said. “Protection for the hoof is frequently a steel shoe which is formed and fit to the horse’s trimmed foot. The hoof also grows over time and often does not wear evenly or enough to allow the horse to remain comfortable. Thus, farriers trim excess growth and restore the hoof to a functional form.”
Though Maki said a few horses may be able to self-maintain their feet, horses who perform repetitive motions, such as working or show horses, require horse shoes. If horse hooves are not trimmed and fitted for shoes, the result could mean lameness.

The Los Alamos Animal Shelter, 226 East Road, 662-8179, has a great selection of adoptable pets just waiting for their forever home, so come adopt your new best friend today! All adoptable pets are microchipped, spayed or neutered, and up-to-date on vaccinations. Shelter hours are noon – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, and noon–3 p.m. Sunday.
Be sure to check out the website at lafos.org, to get more information about volunteering, adopting and donating. Also check out Petfinder website for pictures of adoptable animals: petfinder.com/shelters/friendsoftheshelter.html.
CATS
Juan—A distinguished 4- to 5-year-old male tabby with white markings. He was a stray living outdoors, with no known previous owner. Juan is afraid if people approach him too closely, but he loves cats and kittens. He would like a home where he can maintain his distance until he is ready to come closer. Of course, he would love to have cat or kitten companions, too. At the shelter, Juan has started becoming more comfortable with people who have spent time near him while respecting his boundaries. This is surely a good time for him to find a permanent home! If you would like to take on this special boy and possibly win him over, call for more information and visit him at the shelter.

Los Alamos authors will showcase their wares at the Local Authors Book Fair from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday at Mesa Public Library in Los Alamos.
A wide range of genres and styles will be shared, from books for children, middle grades and young adults to biographies, social sciences and science fiction. The authors will have books available for purchase.
The fair will include:
Laura Kelly’s book “Splintered Reflections” tells the story of a young woman who feels she is losing herself after a traumatic loss. The story is one that will resonate with young and old alike, as the main character Cathy, finds a new way to be in the world. Laura Kelly works full-time at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and part-time as a fitness instructor at the Family YMCA, in addition to her new writing career.
Bridget Thomas, of White Rock, has taken a true story and expanded on it, in which a little girl in Santa Fe creates Christmas joy by mixing the little she has with the natural bounty provided all around her. Her book “The Tumbleweed Christmas Tree” is illustrated by Jessie Baca.
It is evident that Mary Maurice loves a good pun, and loves a good mystery. Her book “Fruit Loops the Serial Killer” starts off with a bang and never slows down until all is revealed.

Auditions for the Los Alamos Little Theatre’s “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” will be held this weekend at the Performing Arts Center, 1670 Nectar Street.
Auditions will start at noon Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday. Callbacks will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Audition materials are available at the Mesa Public Library or by arrangement with John Cullinanl. Email Cullinanl at rev.jcullinan@gmail.com for information.
Actors are requested to memorize one of two monologues provided in the audition materials.
The monologues will be delivered solo to the production staff. After the solo readings, the group will gather everyone together to read scenes from the play.
Casting for this play will be gender blind.

TODAY
February Night Sky Show from 7-8 p.m. at the Nature Center. Cost is $6 for adults, $4 for children.

The Jemez Thrift Shop at 13 Sherwood Blvd. in White Rock will have its Bag Sale from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
SATURDAY
Mesa Public Library book fair from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the library, 2400 Central Ave. Several local authors will have books available for purchase.

The Jemez Thrift Shop at 13 Sherwood Blvd. in White Rock will have its Bag Sale from 9 a.m.-noon. (The thrift shop closes at noon on bag day Saturdays.)
SUNDAY
Española Valley and Los Alamos for a Super Bowl fundraiser at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Pajarito Brew Pub. Kickoff is scheduled for local time. If your team did not make it to the Big Game, drown your disappointment with one of 30 beers on tap or 52 in the bottle. Pajarito Brew Pub General Manager Patrick Mockler-Wood has agreed to donate 10 percent of the proceeds to Habitat for Humanity on all food and drink orders during the game.

Feature Film: “We are Stars” at 2 p.m. at the Nature Center. Cost is $6 for adults, $4 for children. More information at peecnature.org.

TODAY
Business After Hours from 5:30 - 7 p.m. at Rose Chocolatier, 149 Central Park Square. Get some ideas for Valentines Day. Drop your business card in the bowl for a drawing for a door prize from Flowers by Gillian.
THURSDAY
Nature Yoga at 5:15 p.m. at the Nature Center. Practice yoga with Christa Tyson at the nature center, where you have a great view of nature. Cost is $15 for non-members, $12 for members. More information at peecnature.org.

Backcountry Film Festival at 7 p.m. Join us for an evening of inspiring and entertaining short films along with prizes and fun. Cost is $12 in advance, $15 at the door.

Topper Review 2017 at 7 p.m. for a preview at Duane Smith Auditorium. Do you like singing, dancing, and bad jokes? Then do we have the show for you. Come to the Topper Revue experience of a lifetime. Watch as dozens of acts from all across the land perform Topper Revue 2017 at the Duane Smith Auditorium from January 26-28. Starting at 7 p.m. for a preview, and for a performance Friday and Saturday, and a matinee Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $7 for students and seniors and $10 for adults. Student tickets for the matinee and all tickets for the preview are $5.
FRIDAY

Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA) announced their annual Spirit of the West winner, named for former county council member Jim West.
Lois Eddleman has been volunteering for the Los Alamos County Fair for over 55 years.
Eddleman was nominated by Claire Swinhoe, who described Eddleman as someone with an energy level and stamina, which are amazing.
At the county fair each year, as well as helping secure the superintendents, volunteers and officials, she also provides food for the volunteers during the three days of fair. This year, she brought back her famous “sloppy Joe’s,” which are well known and enjoyed by all.
This year, she is also teaching more than 30 piano students, possibly connecting with thousands of Los Alamos children, their parents and siblings throughout the years.
“I have great admiration and respect for her,” said Swinhoe. “Not least of all is the reason that she has been volunteering since 1961, but the fact that Lois is 91 years young.”
Eddleman will receive a handcrafted award made by Richard Ronquillo.
The Community Asset Awards was sponsored by Champions of Youth Ambitions and the Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation.
Read more on all of the award nominees later this week.